A Short Hike

About A Short Hike

A Short Hike drops you into Hawk Peak Provincial Park as Claire, a small anthropomorphic bird desperate for cell reception. Developer adamgryu released this indie adventure back in July 2019, and it arrived on PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Mac, and Linux. You control Claire with the goal of reaching the summit to get your signal. The world is a compact mountain range filled with lakes, forests, and wildlife. It feels like a quiet vacation spot where you can fly, swim, or just walk around. There are no combat systems or complex puzzles blocking your path. This title focuses on exploration and simple interaction within a serene environment that prioritizes relaxation over stress.

Gameplay

Your session starts with basic movement options like walking, swimming, and gliding. You can collect feathers to upgrade your stamina bar and unlock a double jump ability later. The core loop involves crossing the map to find hidden items or complete simple side quests for NPCs. Many players spend time fishing in the lake or talking to other birds around the campsite. The controls feel responsive whether you are climbing rocks or soaring through the air on wind currents. You can choose to rush to the top immediately or wander off to explore every corner of the park. There is no timer forcing your pace, so you can linger at scenic spots for as long as you want without penalty.

What Players Think

Critics and players have responded very positively to this title. Metacritic gave it an 84 while IGDB sits at 74.9 based on 287 user ratings. The community mood leans heavily toward relaxation and nostalgia. Average playtime for a main story run is under two hours, though many users stick around much longer to find all collectibles. Only about 27.6% of players have unlocked the game's 12 achievements, suggesting many prefer just roaming without chasing completion metrics. Review snippets often mention how short but memorable the experience feels. The low completion rate for achievements indicates a casual approach where people play at their own speed rather than grinding for trophies.

PlayPile's Take

This is a budget-friendly pick that works best if you want a quick escape from loud games. At a low price point, it delivers about two hours of polished content with no difficulty spikes. The achievement system exists but feels optional given the low unlock rate. You should play this if you enjoy chill exploration without complex objectives or stressful combat. It is not for those seeking deep narratives or long campaigns. Claire's journey ends quickly, but the atmosphere sticks with you. Grab it on any platform to fill a weekend afternoon with something gentle and pleasant.

Storyline

The main character is Claire, a young anthropomorphic bird who travels to Hawk Peak Provincial Park, where her Aunt May works as a ranger, to spend days off. However, Claire cannot get cellphone reception unless she reaches the top of the peak, and is expecting an important call. For this reason, she decides to reach the highest point in the park.